The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Miami Heat 108-107 on Monday at Kaseya Centre in the regular 2023/24 NBA season.
As the Purple and Gold faced a double-digit deficit in the last four minutes and came dangerously close to pulling off a comeback, Lebron James really placed the team on his back.
He shot 13 of 23 from the field and finished with 30 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
A throwback dunk or two and a chase-down block were among the highlights of a performance Heat supporters would have recognised from his Miami days, no doubt.
Sadly, Los Angeles has now dropped two games in a row and is 3-4 for the season.
D’Angelo Russell fouled out, Anthony Davis was in and out of the starting lineup, and the only player who truly provided James with good support was Austin Reaves (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists).
In the final seconds, Miami concentrated on preventing James, and it was an open Cam Reddish who attempted and failed to make the game-winning shot off a pass from No. 23.
However, the depressing defeat didn’t stop the four-time MVP from receiving adulation on social media.
In other games played, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Detroit Pistons 120-109 while San Antonio Spurs lost 111-152 to Indiana Pacers.
Orlando Magic lost their magic Dallas Mavericks 102-117, just as Philadelphia 76er defeated Washington Wizards 146-128.
Brooklyn Nets narrowly lost 125-129 to Milwaukee Bucks while New York Knicks clipped the wings of LA Clippers 111-97.
Chicago Bulls dazed Utah Jazz 130-113 just as Sacramento Kings had no real answer to Houston Rockets in a clash which ended 122-97.
Boston Celtics lost 109-114 to Minnesota Timberwolves while Oklahoma City Thunder powered their way withh a 126-117 win over Atlanta Hawks just as Denver Nuggets defeated New Orleans Pelicans 134-116.
Boston Celtics lead the pack in the Eastern Conference, while Denver Nuggets lead in the Western Conference
